New MCS Owner with Tire Question
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 418
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From: Maryland
New MCS Owner with Tire Question
Hey all,
A couple of weeks ago, I bought a 02 MCS. When I took it for a test drive a week before I bought it, it felt fine to me. Looked great and everything. Still looks awesome now. The previous owner took good care of it. She got oil changes done on time and all that good stuff. She didn't however, get new tires. She just rotated them so the tires that are on there now are the stock run-flats that came with the car.
My question is, when getting new tires do I opt for new run-flats or new regular tires? I'm not an expert when it comes to knowing tires, cars, ect. but I kind of would feel more comfortable knowing that I'm driving on good, solid tires instead of old, scrappy ones.
Right now, when the car gets up to 70 mph, there's a lot of road noise, a lot of things inside are shaking, the steering wheel even shakes. I've looked at tirerack.com and found a couple of ones, but not knowing what I should get I don't know if they're the right ones or not.
So, a) does anyone have any experience with tirerack.com and drop-shipping? b) recommendations for tires? I dont' plan on racing on the track or anything like that and c) info for dummies about run-flats?
Sorry, this is long...Thanks,
Kat
A couple of weeks ago, I bought a 02 MCS. When I took it for a test drive a week before I bought it, it felt fine to me. Looked great and everything. Still looks awesome now. The previous owner took good care of it. She got oil changes done on time and all that good stuff. She didn't however, get new tires. She just rotated them so the tires that are on there now are the stock run-flats that came with the car.
My question is, when getting new tires do I opt for new run-flats or new regular tires? I'm not an expert when it comes to knowing tires, cars, ect. but I kind of would feel more comfortable knowing that I'm driving on good, solid tires instead of old, scrappy ones.
Right now, when the car gets up to 70 mph, there's a lot of road noise, a lot of things inside are shaking, the steering wheel even shakes. I've looked at tirerack.com and found a couple of ones, but not knowing what I should get I don't know if they're the right ones or not.
So, a) does anyone have any experience with tirerack.com and drop-shipping? b) recommendations for tires? I dont' plan on racing on the track or anything like that and c) info for dummies about run-flats?
Sorry, this is long...Thanks,
Kat
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 203
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From: Fled Cali for Vegas
Nonrunflats will have a smoother ride, but you will not have a spare tire. So if you have a flat then you would need to either pull over and have someone come to you. Or keep a compressor and a can of Fix-a-flat handy so you can limp to a repair location.
Runflats, you wouldn't need the compressor, but can just limp to the repair location. The runflats have a harsher ride, but its not too bad. This is what is most likely on the car now. Runflats are more expensive per tire then non runflats as well as having more limited options.
Tire Rack has been great to work with so far for me. You can also search for an installer that they work with on their web page.
As for tire choice, since you seem to be looking for just daily drivers, it would depend on where you live. I live in Texas, so don't have to worry about snow, and focus on good wet weather handling. If you select the size of your tire and the car on Tire rack, you can then choose what performance you are interested in and it will offer tire choices. I'm sure that Alex would be more then happy to make some suggestions for you as well.
Runflats, you wouldn't need the compressor, but can just limp to the repair location. The runflats have a harsher ride, but its not too bad. This is what is most likely on the car now. Runflats are more expensive per tire then non runflats as well as having more limited options.
Tire Rack has been great to work with so far for me. You can also search for an installer that they work with on their web page.
As for tire choice, since you seem to be looking for just daily drivers, it would depend on where you live. I live in Texas, so don't have to worry about snow, and focus on good wet weather handling. If you select the size of your tire and the car on Tire rack, you can then choose what performance you are interested in and it will offer tire choices. I'm sure that Alex would be more then happy to make some suggestions for you as well.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 418
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From: Maryland
Yelp, I'm in Maryland, so there's occasional bits of snow during the winters. In the county and counties that I frequent, there's a lot of road work being done and a lot of the asphalt has been torn up so there's lots of tiny (and not-so-tiny) potholes being born.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
Originally Posted by Discosmurf
I've looked at tirerack.com and found a couple of ones, but not knowing what I should get I don't know if they're the right ones or not.
Alex
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Palisades, New York
Concensus is to ditch the run-flats and go to a conventional tire and buy a compressor and a BIG can of fix-a-flat.
Here's the reasons why:
1) Run-flats are about $250 each vs around $80 for a reasonable conventional tire
2) Comfort is better with a regular tire; more cushion and less unsprung weight
3) Regular tires are quieter
4) The flat tire warning mechanism gives false alarms
5) There's more selection in brands for regular tires
As far as recommendations go, I can't say enough good things about the Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S. The M+S is for mud and snow. These are all saeson tires that have superb grip in wet and dry. They're quiet too.
If you have a 17" rim you can increase the size to 17/45/215 without any rubbing issues. The wider tire provides more of a contact patch and looks good too
I bought mine from www.tirerack.com They are an excellent company to deal with. An alternative is www.discounttiredirect.com. These guys carry brands like Falken that tirerack does not have.
Here's the reasons why:
1) Run-flats are about $250 each vs around $80 for a reasonable conventional tire
2) Comfort is better with a regular tire; more cushion and less unsprung weight
3) Regular tires are quieter
4) The flat tire warning mechanism gives false alarms
5) There's more selection in brands for regular tires
As far as recommendations go, I can't say enough good things about the Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S. The M+S is for mud and snow. These are all saeson tires that have superb grip in wet and dry. They're quiet too.
If you have a 17" rim you can increase the size to 17/45/215 without any rubbing issues. The wider tire provides more of a contact patch and looks good too
I bought mine from www.tirerack.com They are an excellent company to deal with. An alternative is www.discounttiredirect.com. These guys carry brands like Falken that tirerack does not have.
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
Originally Posted by Discosmurf
So, a) does anyone have any experience with tirerack.com and drop-shipping? b) recommendations for tires? I dont' plan on racing on the track or anything like that and c) info for dummies about run-flats?
Which wheels do you have now? 17x7" S-lytes or 16x6.5" X-lytes?
Definitely replace your tires with non runflats unless safety issues (not needing to change a flat tire in busy traffic) are of primary concern.
Definitely talk to Alex@Tirerack.com as he knows what fits MINIs and depending on your driving conditions, budget and needs, he can recommend something that should work just fine.
Let us know what you ended up choosing. I would guess an all season Ultra high performance tire or similar.
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